What distinguishes TAWS from GPWS?

• A. TAWS includes terrain databases and predictive warnings; GPWS is an older proximity warning based on radar.
• B. TAWS uses weather radar to predict storms; GPWS uses terrain database.
• C. TAWS provides flight planning capability; GPWS provides engine monitoring.
• D. TAWS is for weather avoidance; GPWS is for terrain.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how terrain information is used to warn you. TAWS adds a terrain database and uses your current position and flight path to forecast potential terrain conflicts ahead, so it can issue predictive warnings and often display terrain on the cockpit screens. GPWS, the older system, mainly relies on radar altimeter data and proximity cues to terrain and warns when you’re already too close, without looking ahead using a terrain map. Weather radar isn’t part of the terrain-awareness concept, so it isn’t what distinguishes TAWS from GPWS. That forward-looking capability with a terrain map is what makes TAWS different.